Explore Unmesh Sharad Wagh’s leadership at JNPA, highlighting the defining moments and impactful milestones that mark his distinguished career. Discover his vision for strengthening India’s maritime capabilities and driving port-led development towards global excellence.
Open dialogue fosters agility, proactive solutions, and greater efficiency
Unmesh Sharad Wagh (IRS), Chairman, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), and CMD, VPPL, leads with the insight gained from a career marked by versatility and purpose. Having served across key roles in public service and infrastructure development, Unmesh reflects, “Each role brought with it a unique set of challenges and learning experiences.” His tenure in the Indian Revenue Service laid the foundation for a solid grasp of regulatory systems, financial discipline, and stakeholder engagement. This was further strengthened through active participation in infrastructure projects that sharpened his abilities in execution, coordination, and strategic planning. A turning point came through his hands-on involvement in port and logistics initiatives, where he recognised how efficient maritime infrastructure can propel trade and economic growth. These cumulative experiences continue to shape his vision for JNPA. As he puts it, leading the port is “the culmination of years of ground-level experience, policy exposure, and a deep belief in India’s maritime potential.”
Milestones of impactful leadership
Under Unmesh’s leadership, JNPA has embarked on a transformative journey, marked by significant milestones aimed at bolstering port operations and enhancing India’s global competitiveness. He proudly highlights the Cabinet approval for the Vadhvan Port project as a “significant achievement” of national importance. The swift action that followed, including laying the foundation stone by the prime minister and awarding the first tender within six months, underscores his “commitment to delivering high-impact infrastructure with speed and precision.” Another key achievement has been the substantial enhancement of JNPA’s capacity, now exceeding 10 million TEUs, solidifying its position as “India’s largest container-handling port.” This expansion is crucial in strengthening India’s role in global maritime logistics. Furthermore, the approval for the establishment of the first-of-its-kind agro-processing facility at JNPA aligns with his “vision to support hinterland farmers, promote agro-exports, and create new value chains.” Unmesh emphasises that “operational efficiency remains a cornerstone of our approach,” evidenced by the nearly 14 percent growth rate in the last financial year, reflecting both improved performance and growing stakeholder confidence. These achievements, in his view, are not just progress markers but “steps toward making JNPA a world-class maritime hub that contributes meaningfully to India’s global trade ambitions.”
Cultivating collaborative ecosystems
Recognising the interconnected nature of the port ecosystem, Unmesh places a strong emphasis on fostering seamless collaboration among various stakeholders. For him, “communication is the key.” At JNPA, transparency and consistent dialogue form the bedrock of his collaborative efforts. He personally conducts and addresses stakeholder meetings regularly, viewing them as vital “spaces where trade partners can openly express their concerns, share ideas, and collectively work towards practical solutions.” He firmly believes that “when everyone, from government agencies to port users, is part of the conversation, the outcomes are far more inclusive and sustainable.” Many operational enhancements and policy initiatives, he notes, have emerged from these collaborative discussions, consistently focused on “finding win-win solutions for the entire ecosystem.” Beyond formal meetings, an “open-door approach” ensures stakeholders can provide feedback anytime, knowing their input is valued. This constant two-way communication fosters agility, helps anticipate challenges, and facilitates the implementation of measures that improve overall efficiency. Unmesh aptly states, “At the end of the day, ports don’t operate in silos—they thrive on partnerships. Our job is to make those partnerships seamless, strategic, and mutually beneficial.”
It is both a privilege and responsibility to shape India’s logistics
Innovating connections
Unmesh views ports not merely as infrastructure but as dynamic ecosystems that require active engagement with all stakeholders to foster strong partnerships, drive innovation, and promote knowledge-sharing. As he reiterates, “Regular stakeholder engagement lies at the heart of our approach at JNPA.” Through open communication, structured meetings, and collaborative forums, he ensures that “every voice is heard, and every idea is valued,” naturally leading to stronger partnerships and mutually beneficial solutions. JNPA actively encourages innovation by “supporting digitalisation, adopting smart port practices, and learning from global best practices.” Their participation in industry dialogues, knowledge-exchange platforms, and government initiatives keeps them aligned with emerging trends and cultivates a culture of continuous improvement.
Envisioning port-led growth
Looking to the future, Unmesh envisions India’s port-led development as an “integrated phenomenon,” extending beyond port infrastructure to encompass the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Centralised Parking Plazas, agro-processing facilities, and essential allied infrastructure. He underscores the importance of balancing this growth with “environmental responsibility,” integrating sustainability into every development initiative. Digital transformation is another key priority, with the continuous upgrading of technical systems being “essential to remain competitive with global ports.” Addressing a longstanding bottleneck, Unmesh highlights the critical need for significant capacity addition to handle larger, next-generation vessels for India to compete globally. He believes this challenge is being effectively addressed with the development of Vadhvan Port, poised to be among the top 10 globally, and the Galathea Bay Port in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, further strengthening India’s deep-draft port capabilities. He confidently states, “So yes, we’re not just identifying the challenge—we’re actively solving it.”
Guiding next generation
For young professionals entering the field, Unmesh emphasises continuous learning and staying updated with global best practices. He highlights the importance of hands-on experience, a strong understanding of supply chain fundamentals, and strong soft skills. He believes the maritime sector offers “immense opportunities” for those who remain curious and committed.
JNPA’s initiatives like the JNPA-APEC Training Centre and the Vadhvan Port Skilling Program demonstrate his commitment to nurturing talent.
National growth commitment
For Unmesh Sharad Wagh, leading JNPA is a “deeply personal honour.” Witnessing India’s maritime transformation, he finds it “incredibly fulfilling” to lead a strategic port. He sees JNPA as a “key pillar in India’s economic development,” with their initiatives creating opportunities for millions. He considers it a privilege and responsibility to play a part in “shaping the future of India’s trade and logistics landscape.”
